Senatorial candidate Kiko Pangilinan has received a major boost to his Senate comeback bid on Tuesday, April 15, as Pangasinan local officials threw their support to his candidacy when he barnstormed the province less than a month before the upcoming May midterm elections.
Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo "Pol" Bataoil (left) and Vice Mayor Mac Dexter Malicdem (2nd right) raise the hands of senatorial candidate Kiko Pangilinan during his campaign sortie in Pangasinan. (Photo from Team Kiko Pangilinan)
The former senator was in the province for two days, where he delivered his platforms of food security, lower prices of food, and the proposed free breakfast program for preschool to Grade 12 students.
Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo "Pol" Bataoil, Vice Mayor Mac Dexter Malicdem, and several members of the Sangguniang Bayan endorsed Pangilinan’s candidacy.
Other local officials who endorsed the former senator were Mayors Rizalde Bernal of Dasol, Marvin Martinez of Infanta, Joganie Rarang of Anda, Arth Bryan Celeste of Alaminos, and Arthur Celeste Jr. of Sual.
Pangasinan 1st District Rep. Arthur Celeste and Pangasinan 3rd District Rep. Rachel "Baby" Arenas also expressed their support of Pangilinan, as well as Board Members Napoleon Fontelera and Apolonia Bacay, Councilor Carlo Celeste of Bolinao, and Agno mayoralty candidate John Celeste.
The former senator also conducted a market run at the Bani Public Market.
From there, he also received the endorsements of Bani Mayor Facundo Palafox, Vice Mayor Gwen Palafox-Yamamoto, and other local officials.
In Dagupan City, he was backed by Mayor Belen Fernandez and Vice Mayor Bryan "BK" Kua, while San Jacinto Mayor Leo De Vera and Malasiqui Vice Mayor Alfe Soriano endorsed his Senate comeback bid.
Wrapping up his visit to Pangasinan province, Pangilinan delivered a speech during a youth forum at the Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation (VMUF) in San Carlos City.
In his meetings with the local officials there, the former senator discussed the benefits of his Sagip Saka Act, which he authored and passed as law during his last term in Senate, and presented the officials with copies of the law.
Hopeful to return to the Senate, Pangilinan said he will push for the full implementation of the law to benefit agricultural workers, such as farmers and fisherfolk, and pull down the prices of food.
The Sagip Saka Act allows the national and local governments to buy directly from farmers and fishermen without public bidding and without the restrictions of the procurement law.